Chappaqua Builds Its Dream School

Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Folsom says the United States must build 14,000 to 20,000 additional classrooms a year to take care of the growing school population. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce says those figures are inflated. But there’s no disagreement over the fact that more classrooms—more schools—are needed. The debate centers on whether the local communities and the separate states should go it alone, or whether the federal government should step in. But in the discussion, one important consideration tends to be overlooked, and that is: How luxurious are these new schools to be? Should they be equipped with lavish cafeterias, fully outfitted gymnasiums, instruments sufficient for an 80-piece orchestra? Many communities are finding that the cost of the bare additional classrooms is, like the cost of a boat hull, just the beginning

The story of Chappaqua, New York, is (let us pray!) unique; certainly it is for the ages. Even so, Chappaqua’s problem is, pretty much, every town’s problem.

PL

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Priscilla L. Buckley

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Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Folsom says the United States must build 14,000 to 20,000 additional classrooms a year to take care of the growing school population. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce says those figures are inflated. But there’s no disagreement over the fact that more classrooms—more schools—are needed. The debate centers on whether the local communities and the separate states should go it alone, or whether the federal government should step in. But in the discussion, one important consideration tends to be overlooked, and that is: How luxurious are these new schools to be? Should they be equipped with lavish cafeterias, fully outfitted gymnasiums, instruments sufficient for an 80-piece orchestra? Many communities are finding that the cost of the bare additional classrooms is, like the cost of a boat hull, just the beginning

The story of Chappaqua, New York, is (let us pray!) unique; certainly it is for the ages. Even so, Chappaqua’s problem is, pretty much, every town’s problem.